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Ttrpg players be like (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 day ago by iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works to c/rpgmemes@ttrpg.network

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[–] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm a forever GM too, and I made this meme referring to a player in my groups. She's an amazing player and I include her as often as possible. The point of the meme was not really to highlight that people use TTRPGs as a therapy replacement, though I definitely know that some might try that and I agree with you that it's not a good idea.

[–] misterdoctor@lemmy.world 4 points 23 hours ago (2 children)

I’ve never played a TTRPG, but I noticed that the first person said DM and you said GM. Are they interchangeable? Or is DM specifically only for D&D because of dungeon? Is there bad blood between people who say GM vs DM? Is it like crips and bloods?

[–] DarkMetatron@feddit.org 12 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (2 children)

The phrase "Dungeon Master" is a registered trademark[1] by the rights holders of Dungeons and Dragons. DM is the abbreviation of that, and most likely safe to use. Game Master (GM) is used as a generic (and game agnostic) term.

[1] https://trademarks.justia.com/742/64/dungeon-74264094.html

Edit: I have (twice) edited this now after additional information from others (thank you Kichae for the link to the Dungeon Master trademark) was posted on this thread.

[–] jjjalljs@ttrpg.network 5 points 23 hours ago

Some other games use other terms. Like wod uses "storyteller".

GM is the generic term

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (2 children)

I don't think DM is a trademark, but if you have other information feel free to provide it. Looking through older discussion forums on this topic, the only semi-definitive answer I've found is in this 2021 thread where somebody referred to a now-defunct US gov't trademark search link, where they said they found a lot of "DM"s registered but none related to D&D. I'm inclined to believe it was a working link at that time and they weren't just making shit up.

Personally I use the term DM because I've mostly played D&D, so to me it's more natural.

[–] kichae@wanderingadventure.party 4 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

"DM" is not a trademarked term, because it's a pair of letters. "Dungeon Master" is absolutely a trademarked term, though, and has been since the TSR days.

[–] DarkMetatron@feddit.org 2 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

Thank you for this information, I have added it to my original comment.

[–] DarkMetatron@feddit.org 1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago)

My primary source at the time of posting was a sentence in the Wikipedia[1] but I have added the link to the trademark[2] that was provided by Kichae and rephrased my text now.

Thank you for reminding me that I should always properly check my sources and provide all information.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dungeon_Master&oldid=1185015796 [2] https://trademarks.justia.com/742/64/dungeon-74264094.html

[–] milkisklim@lemm.ee 8 points 23 hours ago

Generally yes. DM and GM are interchangeable, with the small caveat that the term Dungeon Master is owned by Wizards.

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